Agenda item

Councillor Philip Corthorne attended as a Ward Councillor in support of the petitioners.

Concerns and suggestions from petitioners included the following:

• Residents were experiencing difficulties with non-residential parking relating to local businesses and commuter parking due to the close proximity of Ruislip Underground Station and shops.
• Lorries used Manor Road as a short cut to Ickenham.
• Manor Road was not a wide road and with parked vehicles traffic had to travel single file down the road.
• Manor Road was a route for the U10 bus which had difficulty travelling down the road.
• In the last five years the level of non-residential parking had increased with the parking restrictions close to Ruislip station having transferred this commuter parking.
• Reference was also made to commuter parking which took place relating to West Ruislip station.
• Traders from the town centre also parked their vehicles, including vans, on Manor Road.
• Vehicles from the local motor garage were also parked on Manor Road which added further to the parking congestion.
• In addition staff who worked at Ruislip Police Station also parked their vehicles on the road.
• There was also the problem of parents of children who attended the Bishop Winnington Ingram Church of England Primary School who parked their vehicles on Manor Road, sometimes across residents' driveways. This was particularly at school drop-off and pick up times.
• There was a safety issue for school children crossing the road because of the poor visibility caused by parked vehicles and by speeding vehicles. 
• Emergency vehicles had difficulty accessing Manor Road because of its reduced width which was due to the level of parking.
• A number of residents claimed that they had difficult parking their cars on their own drives due to the inconsiderate parking which took place.

Councillor Philip Corthorne spoke in support of the petitioners and referred to the displacement of parking from roads within the area of Manor Road which had recently introduced parking restrictions.

Whilst being supportive of the Petitioners' requests, Councillor Corthorne asked that consideration also be given on how any parking scheme would ensure that parking was available for traders and shoppers of Ruislip.

The Cabinet Member, Councillor Keith Burrows, listened to the concerns and responded to the points raised.

Councillor Burrows explained to petitioners the options which could be available which included waiting restrictions for one hour. Such restrictions would stop all day commuter parking but would also affect local residents.

The Petitioners were also informed that a residential parking scheme would involve a cost to residents for parking permits for themselves and for visitors.

Reference was made to consulting with the emergency services regarding their views on access on Manor Road for emergency vehicles.

Councillor Burrows informed the Petitioners that such was the strength of feeling which had been shown at the meeting; he would meet with officers to discuss the options which could be available to solve the problem. This would then be communicated to Ward Councillors.         

Resolved - That the Cabinet Member:

1.    Discussed and listened to petitioners and their request for parking restrictions in Manor Road, Ruislip.

2.    Agreed that the request for parking restrictions in Manor Road, Ruislip be added to the Council's future parking scheme programme for further investigation and more detailed consultation with residents when resources permit.

3.    Instructs officers to speak with the emergency services regarding any problems with access in Manor Road and report back to the Cabinet Member who would then report the findings to Ward Councillors.

Reasons for recommendation

To allow the Cabinet Member to discuss with petitioners their concerns and if appropriate add their request to the parking schemes programme.

Alternative options considered / risk management

These were discussed with Petitioners.